New measles alert on Brisbane to Auckland flight

Passengers flying Air New Zealand from Brisbane
to Auckland on 23 February may have been exposed to measles,
the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has
today advised.

“We can confirm there were two measles
cases who were passengers on Flight NZ136 leaving Brisbane
at 11:15am on Sunday 23 February,” says Medical Officer of
Health Dr Richard Hoskins. “These passengers would have
been infectious at the time of their travel on this
flight.”

It can take 10-14 days for someone who has
caught measles to start showing any symptoms. Anyone on this
flight who may have caught measles should be starting to
feel unwell, if they’re not already, by Sunday 9 March.

“Passengers who sat nearest the two cases have the
highest risk and are our first priority,” says Dr Hoskins,
“and will be contacted by their local public health
service. However because measles is an infectious, airborne
disease, we want all passengers to be vigilant.”

Measles
symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes
and a rash that starts on the face and neck before spreading
elsewhere.

Any passengers from this flight who feel
unwell should phone their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611
116 for advice. It is vitally important to call first before
seeing a doctor because measles is highly infectious, and
people with measles can infect others in the waiting
room.

There have been 57 measles cases in Auckland so far
this year. Nine of these caught measles overseas and brought
it home with them. ARPHS is working hard to avoid another
situation like in 2011/12, where nearly 500 people caught
measles and 82 required hospitalisation.

Measles is a
serious illness, says Dr Hoskins, and there is no treatment.
“The only way to avoid catching measles is to have had two
measles vaccines after your first birthday. Please check
with your GP to see if you and your family are
protected.”

Reviewed by Michael HorowitzLocated even further south than temperate Noumea, Tonga’s tiny island of ‘Ata might have become the jewel of the kingdom’s burgeoning tourist industry. Imagine a Tongan resort that would not only be mild in winter, but pleasant in summer. More>>

Reviewed by Michael HorowitzLocated even further south than temperate Noumea, Tonga’s tiny island of ‘Ata might have become the jewel of the kingdom’s burgeoning tourist industry. Imagine a Tongan resort that would not only be mild in winter, but pleasant in summer. More>>

The New Zealand landscape undoubtedly is very beautiful, but so is the British one, and my attachment to this country is much more about some particular places, and the memories and emotions that in them combine, than it is about the landscape as a whole. More>>

Suzanne Aubert, the founder of the Sisters of Compassion New Zealand’s home grown order of Sisters, has been declared ‘venerable’, a major milestone on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. More>>

Ernie Merrick has stepped down from his position as Wellington Phoenix FC Head Coach. The club would like to thank Ernie for his contribution to Wellington Phoenix and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. More>>

60s New Zealand music Icon Ray Columbus has passed away peacefully at his home north of Auckland... Ray Columbus enjoyed more than three decades at the top of NZ entertainment as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, music manager and TV star. More>>

Howard Davis: The NZSO's adventurousness was richly-rewarded, as the deeply appreciative Wellington audience was given the opportunity not only to see a couple of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, but also to hear fine renditions of two of Bernard Herrmann's most accomplished film scores. More>>